Nailing machine



April 16, 1940.

NA'ILING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INVENTORS w.H .-THEDFORD EI'AL Y 7,371

April 16, 1940. w. H. THEDFORD ET 2.

. NAILING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19. 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 pril 16,1940. w. H. THEDFQRD m, 2,197,371

NAILING MACHINE Filed Npv. 19, 1938 8 SheetsS h,eet 3 WW /3 6 M 44 m-W @mad I ATTO'RNEY.

April 1940; w. H. THEDFORD ET A:. 2,197,371

' V I NAILING MACHINE Filed NOV. 19, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOIES. mfl/Zd wi WZWWIZZ BY m ATTORNEY April 16, 1940. w THEDFORD ET AL 2,197,371

' MAILING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 19, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS w. w. @W :2 .40! WW mum W ATTORNEY.

April 16, 1940. w. H. Ti-IEDFORD ET A}. .197.371

' NAILING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet s III BY f 6mm ATTORNEY.

April 1940- w. H. THEDFORD ET AL 7 NAILING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 7 i 46a ll J3 25 l I 27 55 54 1 I, V 49 50 I I 6'2 g 17 F ig w INVENTORS 4a Jfl/ZL ML any/mm W ATTORNEY.

April 16, 1940. w. H. THEDFORD' ET AL 2,197,371

' NAILING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 r. I w

' Figti Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE NAILING MACHINE William H. Thedford, North Tarrytown, and

William. F. Harriett, Woodhaven, N. Y., assignors to William S. Doig Inc., Brooklyn, N. a corporationof New York Application November'lQ, 1938, Serial No. 241,374

13 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements innail ing machines, and the same has for its object to provide a simple, efiicient and reliable machine which is capable of operating at an output rate substantially greater than that obtainable with machines utilizing the ordinary manual methods for variously positioning the .work With relation to the nailing mechanism.

nailing mechanism in order to receive nails along the several sides or intermediate portions thereof,

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine which is capable of performing a succession of nailing operations upon each of a series of box sides or panels while said sides or panels with the parts thereof in assembled relation are advanced or fed through the machine upon a constantly moving conveyor.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which means are provided for preventing the advance of the work and for causing the operation of the nailing mechanism as each piece of work attains eachof its successive positions to be nailed.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which the nailing mechanism, upon each actuation thereof by the advance of the work, is automatically stopped at the completion of its said operation.

'- Further, said invention has for its object to providea nailing machine in which the nailing mechanism control means is actuated by means operating in accordance with the movement of the Work into position to be operated upon. Further, said invention has for its object to provide a' nailing machine in which said actuating means are carried by the frame or holder'serv- 'ing to hold-or retain the work with the parts thereof in assembled positions.

' Further, said invention has'for its object to provide a nailing machine in which said actuatr ing means are disposed along said frame or holder at positions corresponding to those at which the 7 work is to be nailed.

' Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which the work conveying means is operated continuously at uniform speed while the work is supported'thereon and advanced by said conveying means by the frictional engagement of the work therewith.

Further, said invention has for its object to :pro-

vide a mailing machine in which the control means for the nailing mechanism, and the actuating means moving with the work cooperate" to prevent movement of the work withthe conveyor when the work attains each of its successive nailing positions.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which the nailing mechanism, upon operation thereof, serves to reset the control means and to prevent movement of the work while in positionupon the moving conveyor until the nailing operation is completed. Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which the control means upon resetting thereof clears the work to allowfurther advance thereof by the conveyor after each release of the work by the nailing mechanism.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which the convey- 7 ing means is in two separated cooperating sections disposed respectively in advance of, and, to

the rear of the work-supporting table and clinch- 'ing anvil so as to permit of the due operation of the nailing mechanism.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which the Widthof the Further, said invention has for its object to provide a nailing machine in which the conveying means is associated with a verticallyadjustable work-supporting table and clinching anvil and is vertically; adjustable therewith so as to maintain the conveyor substantially horizontal,

; work conveying and guiding meansisadjustable v to accommodate work of different widths.

and substantially flush with the surface of said i v table in the various adjusted positions thereof.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

. To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends our invention consists in the novel features of construction, and in the combination, connec- 4 tion and arrangement of parts hereinafter more 'iully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings-' Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts in section illustrating one form of nailing machine constructed according toand embodying the said invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the work conveying means of said machine;

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a portion of the machine showing a part of the nailing mechanism and the control means for starting and stopping the operation thereof, parts being broken away and parts being in section;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the holder or frame for holding the work panel or box side with the parts of the panel in assembled relation;

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a corner portion of said holder or frame showing the engagement of the cleats with one of the supporting clips of the holder;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of one form. of box side or panel in completed or finished state;

Fig. '7 is a detail perspective of the control mechanism, parts being in section, with the wiring diagram indicated therein;

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal section on the line 88 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 99 of Fig. 8, the clutch parts being shown in unlocked relation;

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the clutch parts in locked relation;

Fig. 11 is a detail section on the line I l-! l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a transverse section on the line 12-! 2 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a detail section on the line 13-43 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail section on the line l ll l of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a detail side elevation of the control means showing the same in switch actuating position, parts of the machine being shown in section and parts being omitted;

Fig. 16 is a similar view showing the crosshead of the machine in lowered position, and the control means in reset position;

Fig. 17 is a similar View showing the crosshead returning to its elevated position;

Fig. 18 is a similar view showing the crosshead in lowered position, and the chucks pressing the work and holding it against movement with the conveyor;

Fi 19 is a detail side elevation of a modified form of controlling means, parts of the machine being shown in section; and

Fig. 20 is a horizontal section thereof taken on the line 2U-2El of Fig. 19.

In said drawings, the machine is shown comprising a frame it including vertical side mem hers I I supporting at their upper ends a transverse member !2 carrying the selective nail feeding mechanism l3. A cross-head I4 is slidably mounted on the edge 95 of the frame l0, and is adapted to be reciprocated vertically through pitmans 16, each having one end pivotally connected to one end of the cross-head l4, and its other end connected to a crank ll actuating from the main driving shaft 18 of the machine. Power is transmitted to the shaft it from the motor shaft it! through a train of gears 28, including a gear 2i adapted to be automatically clutched to they shaft 18 upon the initiation of each nailing operation, as hereinafter more fully described. The nail feeding means and selective mechanism it are actuated from the cross-head I14 though a link connection 22 while the nail hopper: or box .23 is agitated, by the mechanism including the link connection 24 reciprocated by a crank operated from the gear transmission 20. The nails are fed from the selective feeding mechanism 13 in predetermined order, according to the selector setting, through the flexible nail feed tubes 25 which are connected at their lower ends to the nail chucks 26 secured upon the chuck carriage 21 in transversely spaced apart relation. The chuck carriage 2! depends from the cross-head i6, and is slidably connected thereto by the rods 28 extending through openings 28 in the cross-head, and having heads 29 at the upper ends thereof. A coil spring 30 is interposed between the carriage 21 and the crosshead 14 about each rod 28. The rods 28 are of such length that when the cross-head is in its uppermost position, the bottoms 31 of the several chucks 28 will be raised out of engagement with the Work disposed upon the table or clinching anvil 32 below the chucks. Upon descent of the cross-head M, as shown in Fig. 18, the chucks 26 become free to engage the work before the nailing operation occurs, and the cross-head moves relative to the rods 28 to compress the spring 38 and imposed a substantial pressure upon the work, for the purpose hereinafter more fully described. The nailing operation is effected by means of the plungers 33 extending into the chucks 26 and connected at their upper ends to the cross-head it to be actuated thereby.

In the machine embodying the present invention, the work is preferably advanced or fed through the machine into and from nailing position in a single line of direction by continuously operated conveying means 34, thereby obviating the need for manually turning the box member or panel several times in order to present its several sides, or intermediate portions, successively to the nailing mechanism to receive nails along the sides or intermediate portions.

The conveying means 34 is preferably in two sections 35 and 36 disposed respectively at opposite sides of the table 32. The table 32, in accordance with the usual practice, is capable of a slight vertical adjustment to accommodate Work of various thicknesses, as by means of the adjusting mechanism 32*. Each of the conveyor sections 35, 36, comprises a supporting frame including the parallel angle members 3"! and 38 secured at their inner ends to the lower edges of the outwardly directed bearing brackets 39 and lfi, preferably formed ntegrally with the outer ends of said table 32. The members 31 and 38 are secured at the opposite ends thereof to the brackets M and 42, which are supported by vertically adjustable uprights or standards 43 and M resting upon the floor and connected rotatably at the up per ends thereof to said brackets H and 42. The brackets ll and 32 are connected or bridged by a transverse guide shaft 45.

The conveying means 34 at each side of the,

table 32 preferably comprises a pair of endless conveyor belts 46 and ll arranged in parallel spaced relation, and adapted to be relatively adjusted toward and away from each other in accordance with the width of the Work to be operated upon. Each of the belts 46 at the outer end thereof is disposed about an idler pulley 48 journaled in the bracket 42, and at the inner end thereof is disposed about a pulley 49 keyed to the transverse drive shaft 50, adjustably journaled, as hereinafter described, in the brackets 55% and d6 extending from the table 32. Each of the belts ll is mounted for adjustment toward and away from the corresponding belt 46. For this purpose the belt H atthe outer end thereof is disposedv about an idler pulley 5| journaled in a member 52 adapted to slide along the shaft 45. 75-

..mentfaxially thereof, as more clearly shown in Figs. 2, 12 and.l3. The pulley 5| includes a lateral hub or sleeve portion 53 embracing the shaft 58. A bracket 54 is freely supported in position upon the sleeve 53 by means of the hub 55 embracing said sleeve 53. The bracket 54is .retained by the collar 55a in position upon the sleeve 53 so as to slide axially with the latter, and is held against rotation with the pulley 5| and sleeve 53 bymeans of the angularmember 56 which is connected at one end to said bracket 54, and at its opposite end to the sliding bracket or member 52. The member 56 is disposed immediately below the upper run .of the belt 41 so that the horizontal flange 56 of said member 6 56 serves as a support or rest for the belt. The

belt 46 is supported in like manner by an angular member 51 having its vertical side at one end connected to an upright 58 supported by the member 38, and at its opposite end connected to an upwardly extending portion 59 of the bracket 42, the upper run of the belt 46 being supported by the horizontal flange 66 of said member 51.

Angle members BI and 62 extend. longitudinally .of the forward conveyors 46 and 41 at the outer sides thereof to form guides for the work traveling with the conveyor, said guides projecting above the upper surfaces of the conveyors. The vertical flange 6W of. the member 6| is preferably secured to the vertical face of the angular conveyor support 5'! so that the horizontal flange 6| 'of said member .6l may serve as a support for control mechanism 63, as hereinafter described. In'like manner, the angular guide 62 issecured by its vertical flange 62 to the vertical portion of the conveyor support 56 so that the horizontal flange 62 may also serve as a support for .such control mechanism, if so desired. The guide 62 is thus made laterally adjustable with the conveyor 41. Preferably, the angular guides 6| and 62 extendover the table 32 and along the con- -veyors 46 and 41 at the discharge side of the machine for a distance suflicient to insure continued guidance of the work until the nailing operations thereon are completed. As shown more clearly in Fig. 13, the vertical flange 62 and also flange fil are of reduced depth above the table 32 to provide clearance thereover.

The forwardand rear pairs of conveyors 46 and 4'! are preferably continuously driven to feed the work carried thereby in the direction of the arrows by means of. a separate motor 64 op-' 'eratively connectedby a belt or other transmission means 65with a pulley or drum 66 secured to the forward shaft 56 at one end thereof.

Power is transmitted to the ocnveyor section 36 at thedischarge side of the machine by means of a chain belt 61, or other form of transmission,. disposed about the sprockets 68 and 69 secured to the contiguous ends of the two shafts 56 at the other sideof the machine.

Both the forward and rear conveyors may be simultaneously and correspondingly adjusted relative to the conveyors 46 by asingle manual control 16, such as a wheel secured to one end of ashaft ll rotatably supported in bearings 12 upon the forward and rear guide shafts 45, said shaft H extending longitudinally of the machine at one side thereof below the table 32.

The forward and rear slidable supports 52, 54 1 for the conveyor belts 41 are adjusted laterally relative to the conveyor belt 46 by a plurality of transversely. extending chainv belts .13, 13 dislatter to extend past the tongues 66'. The-r posed at one side'of the conveyor frame about 16, preferably at points on the upper runs there 51 of, to the slidable members 52, while the chain belts 13 which are disposed at opposite sides" of the table 32, are similarly connected at 11 to the slidable members 54. 5

Each of the shafts 50, as shown in Figs. 12 and s l lyis capable of being adjusted vertically to correspondinglyraise or lower the pulleys 49 and 5W relative to the top of the table 32 to compensate for variations in belt thickness. For this purpose, the bearing portions 39 and 46 are 20 provided with circular holes 18 receiving the cor respondingly shaped rotatable bushings 19 normally held in fixed relation by the set screws 15. The corresponding bushings 19 .have eccentric bearings through which the same is sup-{25 ported. The bushings 19 have flanged inner portions 8| provided with tool receiving holes 82 about the periphery thereof, and the shafts 50 are retained against axial movement-by the collars 83. Upon rotation of the members", 106- 30 cause of the eccentric shaft mounting, the elevation of the pulleys 42 and 5| may be varied to position the belts 46 and 41 contiguous "to the i table32 in flush relationthereto.

The control means 63 is disposed upon the ledge 6M of the angle member 6! at a position contiguous to the chucks 26, and is actuated by the advance of the work upon. conveyor 34 to start the operation ofthe machine as the work attains each of its successive nail- J40. ing "positions, said control means being reset upon'each operation of the machine to be ready for the succeeding operation. 7 I

The machine is particularlyadapted for nailing box sides or panels, such as that illustrated '45 as one example in Fig. 6. The panel, as shown, comprises the longitudinaland transverse cleats a and b assembled as va frame in rectangular formation and to which is nailed the panel 0. The nails, in the given example, are app-lied 111 50 a succession'of six rows d considered longitu.di-. nally of the panel, the first and last rows each comprising four nails to the row, and the intermediate rows each comprising two nails to the .row. The number of nails to a row is deter- .55

mined by the adjustment of the selective nail, feed l3.

The panel parts a, b, c are supported in preassembled relation by a carrier or frame 66* as clips 65' are provided withupturned portions or tongues 66' for'retaining the cleats b in position upon the clips, said tongues being offset relative to the longitudinal cleats a to allow the" cleats a are also preferably supported at intermediate points by flat clips 61'. When the cleats a and b are thusassernbled, they become effectively locked in position, and the panel 0 is thendisposed thereon. In actual practice.

a number of such frames 64" with the panel parts assembled therein, are rendered available to be successively conveyed through the machine to be operated upon, thereby insuring the continuous and substantially uninterrupted feed of successive panels into and from nailing position by the conveyor 34, and maintaining a de that the travel of the jig and the panel carried,

thereby is stopped and the operation of the machine started as the panel attains each of its successive proper nailingpositions.

The control mechanism 63 comprises an up right or standard 69' upon which the horizontally disposed arm 79' at an intermediate point H is pivoted. A member l2, constituting a trip, is pivotally connected at the upper end 73' thereof to one end of the arm '19 and depends therefrom. The member or trip '12" is provided with an inwardly directed finger M at the lower end thereof disposed in the path of the actuating devices 68' upon the frame or jig M which is being advanced by the conveyor 3 The member 72' has an anti-friction roller 15' acr mally held in engagement with a stop it on the standard 59' by means of a spring it; Upon actuation of the trip 12' by a contiguous actuating device 68' which is being advanced by the conveyor, the trip 12 is swung rearwardly until the roller i5 engages, as shown in Figs. 3 and 15, the forward face '18 of the chuck carriage 21, which serves as a stop limiting the rearward movement of the arm 12', the latter then acting as a stop to prevent further movement of the jig 64 with the conveyor 34. The actuation of the member 12' through a link connection '19 actuates the switch 80 in the circuit 81' of the solenoid 82' which controls the operation of the clutch means 33' (Fig. '7) for start ing and stopping the operation of the nailing machine, as hereinafter more fully described.

The tripping member 12, upon actuation thereof by one of the devices 58, is reset for operation by the next succeeding device 88 by means of the vertical plunger B l slidable in the bearing 85, and disposed in the path of travel of the cross-head M to be actuated thereby. The plunger 86 has secured thereto a collar 8'5 to which the bifurcated end 87 of the arm il is pivotally connected. A coil spring 88 is di posed about the plunger 84 between the bearing and collar 96 to normally retain the plunger in its uppermost position. The lower end of the plunger 84 below the bearing 85 is provided with a head 89 for limiting the upward movement of the plunger under the action oi the spring 38.

When found desirable, presser rollers 99 may be employed to hold the carrier or jig 64 firmly in position on the conveyor (it as the carrier or between the arm 9i and a portion of the standam 92.

The clutching means 83' shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8 to 10, comprises a male member or sleeve 94 keyed to the drive shaft I8. The hub 2i of the gear 22 constituting the female member is disposed about the member 94 for rotation relative thereto, the gear 2| being continuously operated from the shaft l9. The sleeve 94 beyond one end of the hub, is provided with a lateral extension 95 having in the outer portion thereof a V-shaped recess 96 which diverges radially outwardly, the lower portion 91 defining said recess being of reduced length, as shown in Fig. 7, relative to the upper portion 91 The sleeve 94 is providedwith a longitudinal semi-circular recess 98 in the periphery thereof, which merges at the part 85 with a cylindrical bearing 99. The inner surface of the hub 2i is provided with a plurality of longitudinal recesses IUD, preferably of angular: formation, any of which is adapted to register with the recess 98. The parts 94 and 2! may be connected to effect rotation of the shaft l8 by means of a key member ID! having a semicircular end portion !02 adapted to be retained,.

as shown in Fig. 9, in position completely filling said recess 98 and disconnected from the hub 2 l Theouter end of thekey IBI comprises a cylindrical shank portion I93 in the bearing 99 and a radially extending finger I94 riding in the slot or recess 95 between the limits provided by the portions 9'1 and 9T The portion 9'! is provided with a recess I65 in which is disposed a coil spring H18 which normally urges the finger IM to its lowermost position when the detent i9! is disengaged-if from thelfinger I94. The detent I0! is connected to the solenoid 82' by connection I08. When the solenoid is energized, the detent is swung outwardly from under the finger N14 to the position shown in broken lines.

W4 is moved rotatively to cause the key portion 582 to engage in one of the recesses MD, as shown in Fig. 10, to effect rotation of the shaft l3 by rotation of the gear 2|. The detent Id! is returned to normal locking position by a spring, H29 after the solenoid is deenergized to cause disconnection of the parts at the completion of a single cycle of operation, as hereinafter more fully described.

In Figs. 19 and 20 is illustrated a modificationiq in which the clutch means 83' is thrown into and out of operation by mechanically operated means instead of by the electrically operated means shown in Fig. 7. In said modified form the controlling means 63*- is modified to effect.

its control, when actuated by the lugs 63' on the frame 64 through a mechanical system I Hi. In other respects the construction and mode of operation of the control mechanism 63 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 7 and de-. scribed in connection therewith.

The clutch mechanism 83' shown in Figs. 19 and 20 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, and above described, and it is normally retained in inoperative or unlocked position by engagement of the detent H31 with the finger I04, said detent It]? being normally retained against the stop Hi9 by a spring 39 secured at one end to the arm Hll of the detent fin and at its opposite end to the frame. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the detent 181 is actuated mechanically by an arm lil secured to the shaft H2, the arm having an anti-friction roller H3 thereon adapted, when the shaft H2 is rotated, to engage Thereupcn, the finger 1 affecting the position of the detent I26.

the arm IIl'I 'and disengage the-detent IIII thereby throwing in the clutch 83'.

A pilot clutch H4 associated with the shaft I I2 is substantially the same in construction and mode of operation as the clutch 83. The clutch IIII includes the male member N5, the female member I I6 having the sprocket Ill and locking key H8. The sprocket II! is rotated continuously by a chain I I9 driven from the transmission 2!! for driving the gear 2!. The key H8 is normally retained by a detent I26 in unlocked positionto prevent actuation of the shaft II2, the detent I20 being released by operation of the mechanical system I II] upon actuation of the control 63 The system IIU comprises a bell-crank I2I having one arm thereof connectedby a link I22 with arm I23. 011 one end of shaft I24. A crossarmv I25 is secured'to the opposite end of shaft I24, a pair of links I26 depending pivotally from= the arm I25.- Il 1e,lower ends of the links are I28 journaled in'the support I29. The Opposite end of the shaft I28 has a cross-arm I30. A pair of links I disposed in substantially-right angular relation to the links I26. are pivotally connected at one pair of contiguous ends to mom-i ber, I2! at points diagonal topivotal connections of links I26 thereto, and at the opposite pair of endsto cross-arm I30. The parallel link system |26-'---I3I provides a pantograph mechanism which allows the table 32 on which the shaft I24 is mounted to be raised or lowered without.

In the modification of the invention last described, power is continuously applied to thesprocket III'for rotating the same while loose relative tOjthi-J'Shdft' I I2. Upon actuation of the.

- control 63 and resulting movement of the conthe parts I I5 and H6 togetherto, cause rotation of the shaft I I2. The detent III'I fis then swung by the arm =I II out of engagement with the key portion IMof'the main clutch 83 to cause opera-' tion of the nailing machine. The detent I01? re: turns'to normal position as soon as the arm III clears the same to again engage the-portion IE4 atthe completion of a revolution to throw out the clutch 83 and stop the machine. When the control 63? resets upon actuation of plunger 84 by the cross-head, the'detent I 20 returnsto normal position to'engage the key- I I8 and throw out the clutch II 4 at the completionof a single revolution thereof. I Q I g H The'operation of the machineis as follows: The table 32 is=properly adjusted in elevation by means of the actuator 32 (Fig. 1) in acc'ord ance with'the overall thickness of the box side or panel to be nailed so as to allow the work to clear the chucks as the work. is advanced through the machine. The conveyor sections'are then rendered horizontal with relation to the table 32 by rotating the hand wheels M of the several adjustable standards or supports M.- By rotating the wheel '10, the spacing between the belt v IG and guide-6L and 'belt ll-and guide62, may

be adjusted tocorrespond with the width of the frames 64 required for the'particular work to be nailed' Thework to be operated upon'is then assembled in any desirable or convenient number of frames 64 to be successively fed to and advanced through the machine.

The frames "are placed upon the conveyorbelts 46 and -41 of the forwardconveyor section 34. to t be advanced into nailing position by the move-j ment of said belts, whichare continuously actuated from the motor 64. The fram'e's 64 rest upon the belts 46 and 41 infrictional engagement therewith, the weight of the frameand panel therein and 'thefrictional properties-ofthe belts being coordinated to insure free movement, of the frames 6M with the belts intoand out of nailing.

position, and to permit of the stopping of each frame at-thenail'mg position 'without interrupting the operation of the conveyor. I

Asthe frame 6% is advanced, the actuators or pins-68f therein successively engage and actuate the arm 72" of the control .63 to throw in the swung rearwardly into engagement with the chuck carriage 2; which prevents temporarily further movement of. the frame 64' with the conveyor.

The" actuation of the arm I2 closes the switch 80 to actuate the, solenoid BZ'serVihgactuation of the arm 12 may becaused to op'er- I ate the pilot clutch I M- for starting the operation of the nailing mechanism. As; the cross head' I4 starts" to descend, the chuck-carriage 2'I'lowers to bring the chucks 26 in engagement with the work,

as shown-in Figal8. The cross-head inits down movement compresses the spring 30 so that sufficient pressure is exerted on the work by the chucks to hold the frame 64 stationary. during the nailing operation. After the chucks ,26 be- "come effective for holding the frame M as shown in Fig. 16, the-cross-head MQupon contin-r ued movement, actuates the plunger 84 to raise the arm I2 vout of engagement with thepin 68,

the arm; then being swung by spring 11' into its advanced position. Upon return of thearm 12" to advanced position, the solenoid 82 deenergizes.

and the detent IE3! (or detent I20) is returned to position'for engaging the finger lMior finger II 8) upon the completion of a single revolution of the gear 2| to throw out the clutch 83 and stop the machine upon the completion of the nailing operation. Upon thecompletion of the down stroke of the cross-head, the nailing plungers 33 have been actuated to drive the nails into the advance of the frame to the next nailing'po sition, whereupon the control 63 is again actuated. Uponthe completion of the several nailing discharge side of the machine is effective for moving the frame 64 and work carried thereby from the machine.

By means of our invention, we are able to advance or feed the workthrough the machine in 'a single line of direction without relianceupon the skill and attention of the operator, such as is required when the work must be variously positioned for nailing by manual manipulation thereof. :We thus obtain efiiciency in operation and increased production over manual methods heresoperationsto be performedupon the work in any of the frames M the conveyor section 36 at theto throw in the clutch 83' to start.the machinelwj operation,-or, as shown in Figs- 19 and 20, the 1 for movement relative thereto and a spring interfor causing a complete cycle of operation of the machine, said control, rendering efiective means to hold the frame and the work carried thereby stationary relative to the constantly moving conveyor in each of the several nailing positions thereofuntil each nailing operation is completed,

whereupon the operation of the machine or nailing mechanism is automatically interrupted and the frame released to allow further advance thereof on the conveyor, and the movement of the next succeeding frame into nailing position.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A. machine of the character described comprising a nailing mechanism including a verti .oally reciprocable cross-head and a chuck support carried thereby for movement relative thereto and constituting presser means for the work, means for actuating said nailing mechanism, a constantly travelling conveyor, a work carrier provided with actuating devices and adapted to be advanced by the conveyor into nailing position below said nailing mechanism, means associated with said actuating means operable to start the operation of said actuating means and interrupt said operation upon the completion of a cycle of operation of the nailing mechanism, a vertically swinging support disposed below said cross-head,

means pivotally depending therefrom disposed in the path of said actuating devices upon the work ;carrier to be engaged and actuated thereby for 2. A machine of the character described comprising nailing mechanism including a reciprocable cross-head, a chuck support carried thereby posed between said cross-head and said chuck support and adapted to be compressed by said ating said nailing mechanisms, means for throwing'sa-id actuating means into and out; of opera tion, control means actuated by said carrier for starting the operation of said nailing means and for preventing movement of the carrier until the chuck support becomes effective to hold the carrier, and means actuated by said cross-head for causing the controlling means to disengage said carrier and return to normal position.

3. A machine of the character described comprising, nailing mechanism, a work carrier having actuating devices thereon, and adapted to be advanced into position below the nailing mecha nism, means for actuating said nailing mechanism, means for throwing said actuating means into and out of operation, means for controlling said last-named means including a support, a centrally pivoted arm on the support, a member pivoted at one end to one end of said arm and extending downwardly into the path of said actuating devices on said carrier, a spring for retaining said member in its advanced position in engagement with a portion of said support, means serving to limit .the movement of said member in the opposite direction, and a spring controlled plunger slidably mounted in said support and pivotally connected to said first-named arm at the opposite end thereof in position to be actuated by said nailing mechanism.

4. A machine of the character described comprising nailing mechanism including a vertically reciprocable cross-head, a chuck support carried thereby for movement relative thereto, and a spring interposed between said cross-head and said chuck support and adapted to be compressed by said cross-head to increase the pressure exerted by said chuck support on the work to be nailed, a work carrier, a continuously operating conveyor belt for advancing said carrier into nailing position below said chuck support, means for actuating said nailing mechanism, means for throwing said actuating means into and out of operation, and controlling means therefor including a fixed support in spaced relation to said chuck-support, a centrally pivoted arm on the support, a member pivoted at one end of said armbetween said supports for limited movement therebetween and extending downwardly into the path of said carrier, a spring for retaining said last-named member in its advanced position in engagement with the fixed support, a plunger below said cross-head to be actuated thereby, said plunger being guided vertically in said support and pivotally connected to the other end of said arm, and a spring for normally maintaining said plunger projected.

5. A machine of the character described comprising a nailing mechanism including a vertical- 1y reciprocable cross-head and a chuck support carried thereby for movement relative thereto into engagement with the work, a work carrier having actuating devices thereon at points corresponding to the nailing positions, a continuously operating conveyor for advancing said carrier into nailing position below said nailing'mechanism, means for actuating said nailing mechanism, means for throwing said actuating means into and out of operation, means for controlling said last-named means including a member disposed in the path of said actuating devices in advance of said chuck support to be engaged by said devices for, actuating said controlling means, said member upon engagement thereof with said chuck-support serving temporarily to prevent movement of the carrier with the conveyor, and means below said cross-head in the path thereof and actuated thereby after said chuck-support becomes effective to hold the carrier for disengaging said member irom said carrier and restoring said controlling means to its initial position for the next succeeding operation.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a nailing mechanism including a vertically recip rocable cross-head and a chuck-support carried thereby for movement relative rupt said operation upon completion of a cycle of operation of the nailing mechanism, a fixed support below said cross-head in advance of said chuck-support at the side of the conveyor; a centrally pivoted arm on said fixed support, a springreturned member pivoted at one end to one end of said arm and extending downwardly between said supports into the path of said carrier to be actuated thereby for controlling said starting means for the actuating means, saidmember, upon'actuation thereof, engaging a stop to temporarily prevent movement of the carrier, and means disposed in the path of said cross-head and engaged thereby, after said chuck-support engages the carrier, for swinging said arm to move said member upwardly out of engagement with the carrier and to restore said member to operative position upon the return movement of v the cross-head.

carried by one of said lateral members and said intermediate member, a driving connection between said actuating shafts, means for adjusting said intermediate members, and vertically ad- J'ustable means at the outer ends of said lateral members for supporting the outer ends of said conveyor sections. a

8. A machine of the character described comprising a nailing mechanism, a clinching table disposed below said mechanism, conveyor sections at the opposite sides ofsaid table each in,- cluding longitudinally extending horizontal lateral members connected at the inner ends thereof to said table, means for supporting said members at the outer ends thereof, a transverse drive.

shaft journaled in said sections at the inner ends thereof, a transverse guide shaft connecting said members at the outer ends thereof, a drum secured to said actuating shaft contiguous to one of said lateral members, a drum journaled in said disposed below said mechanism, conveyor sections at the opposite sides of said table each including longitudinal lateral members connected at the inner ends thereof to said table, transverse actuating shafts journaled in said sections at the inner ends thereof, guide shafts connecting each pair of said members at the outer ends thereof, a drum secured to each of said actuating shafts contiguous to a lateral member, a drum journaled on each of said lateral members at the 7. A machine of the character described com outer end thereof, an endless conveyor disposed about each pair of said drums, longitudinally extending intermediate members slidably supported by said actuating shafts and said guide shafts, a

drum journaled in each of said last-named members and slidably keyed to said actuating shafts,

a drumjournaled on each of saidlast-named members at the outer end thereof, an endless conveyor disposed about each pair of last-named drums, means connected to said intermediate members at the opposite ends thereof for.moving the same to vary the'spacing between the conveyorsand a common actuating means for said several last-named means.

10. A machine of the character described comprising a nailing mechanism, a clinching table disposed below said mechanism, conveyor sections at the opposite sides of said table including horizontal frames, endless conveyors supported by said frames at one side thereof, longitudinally extendingmembers slidably mounted atthe ends thereof upon said frames, endless conveyors sup ported by said longitudinal members, a longitudinallyextending rotatable actuating shaft having drive members thereon at points corresponding to the inner and outer ends of said frames at one side, idler members upon said frames at corresponding points at the opposite side, and belts disposed about said pairs of members and connected to the ends of said slidably mounted members for actuating the same upon rotation of said shaft.

11. A machine of the character described comprising a nailing mechanism, a clinching table disposed below said mechanism, conveyor sections at the opposite sides of said table each including longitudinal lateral members, a transverse actuating shaft journaled therein at the inner ends and a guide shaft connecting the same at the outer ends, a longitudinally extending intermediate member slidably supported by said actuating shaft and said guide shaft, an endless conveyor supported by alateral member of each conveyor section and actuated by said drive shaft, an endless conveyor supported byeach slidable member and actuated by said drive shaft, a driving connection between said shafts, a longitudinally extending rotatable actuating shaft at one side of said conveyor section having sprockets thereon at points corresponding to the inner and outer ends of said conveyor sections, idler sprockets upon said conveyor sections at corresponding points at'the opposite side, and chain belts disposed about said pairs of sprockets and connected to the ends of said slidably mounted members.

12. A machine of the character described 'comprising a nailing mechanism, a clinching table disposed below said mechanism, conveyor sections at opposite sides of said table each including longitudinally extending lateral members connected at the inner ends thereof to said table, one of said members including a belt supporting portion and a guide portion, a transverse drive shaft journaled in said members atthe inner ends thereof, a transverse guide shaft connecting said members at the outer ends thereof, a drum secured to said actuating shaft contiguous to one of said journaled in said last-named member and slid; ably keyed to said drive shaft, a drum journaled in said last-named member at the outer end thereof, an endless conveyor belt disposed about said last-named drums upon said supporting portion, a driving connection between said actuating shafts, sprocket-chain mechanism connected to each end of both intermediate members, and common actuating means therefor.

1.3. A mechine of the character described comprising a nailing mechanism, a clinching table disposed below said mechanism, a conveyor section at one side of said table including a transversely extending actuating shaft having a drum thereon at the inner end of said conveyor section, an idler drum at the outer vend of said conveyor section, a conveyor belt disposed about said drums, and members on said conveyor section having eccentric openings therein constituting bearings receiving said actuating shaft, said members-being rotatively adjustable for varying the elevation of saidshaft to make said belt sub-.

stantially flush with said table. 

